Building construction



April 24, 1962 J. R. DRESSER ET AL 3,031,043

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 19s? 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 J E%JVENTOR5 @77265 v r6556? fiober J Ewen/72625,

April 24, 1962 J. R. DRESSER ETAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 11 Sheets$heet 2Filed July 26, 1957 April 24, 1962 J. R. DRESSER ET AL BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1957 INVENTORQ" Jami.Brewer,

April 1962 J. R. DRESSER ETAL 3,031,043

. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 24,1962 J. R. DRESSER ET AL 3,031,043

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1957 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORSJarrzee B. Z7re65er, JZOb/Z QEOSBIZ/ZQ/ZI April 1962 J. R. DRESSER ET AL3,031,043

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet s g2 7/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 W V v v INVENTOkfi. James Framer, BYfioberi JWerzzka April 24, 1962 Filed July 26, 1957 J. R. DRESSER ET AL BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION III/I ll Sheets-Sheet 8 p 24,, 1962 J. R. DRESSER ETAL3,031,043

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR5.Jamaal? Z7/e55er,

BYfiab arid/2056225204 J. R. DRESSER ET AL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION April24, 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed July 26, 1957 p 1962 J. R. DRESSER ETAL 3,031,043

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR5Janzeaii. mea er;

United States Patent 3,031,04 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION James R. Dresser andRobert A. Rosenthal, bothof Rte. 3,

Spring Green, Wis.; said Dresser assignor of thirtyseven and one-halfpercent to R. N. Howton, Williams,

Ariz.

Filed July 26, 1957, Ser. No. 674,339 8 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) Thisinvention relates, generally, to building construction and it hasparticular relation to prefabricated building construction.

A prefabricated building, such as a dwelling house, garage, school,factory, etc., as presently understood is one which either isconstructed at a factory and shipped as a unit to the site or the wall,partitions (roof, etc., are fabricated at the factory, either partiallyor entirely, and then assembled at the side. In either case aconventional building of the custom built type is the result. While someeconomies can be effected over the strictly custom built type ofbuilding, the so-called prefabricated building still is essentially acustom built house. In order to reduce further the cost of suchconstructions, identical or only slightly varying types are oftenemployed. Usually they are unattractive and generally they lead to acondition where values tend to diminish faster than they otherwise wouldif the houses were dissimilar and more attractively constructed.

It has heretofore been proposed to employ off the site manufacturedstructural units which can be assembled at the site to form the buildingwalls. However, they have been expensive to construct and difficult toassemble. Generally they are limited to use for the walls andpartitions. They have not been readily adapted for floor and roofconstruction.

Accordingly, among the objects of this invention are: To provide asingle universal panel construction that can be assembled at the site toform part or all of the floors, walls, partitions, and roof of abuilding; to construct the panel of light weight, weather proof materialin such manner that the cost is a minimum; to arranged the panel in suchmanner that it can be assembled with other like panels by unskilledlaborers; to provide the panel construction so that it can bedisassembled from other panels without damage; to provide dilferentinterior and exterior finishes on the panels; to construct each panel ofspaced apart relatively thin metallic or plastic skins and toelectrically and heat insulate the skins on the opposite sides of thepanel from each other; to interconnect the outer metallic skins and theinner metallic skins of adjacent panels and to energize themelectrically to the end that they may serve to distribute electricalenergy throughout the building; to interconnect adjacent panels bydetachable links; to hold each link in place by a cooperating lock; toconstruct the lock of conducting material and arrange for it toelectrically interconnect the metallic skins of adjacent panels; to fillthe space between the skins with light weight, heat insulating material;and to provide for the construction of a large number of buildings ofdifferent design, appearance and size using a single panel design, or acombination of panels.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in partappear hereinafter.

This invention is disclosed in the. embodiments thereof shown in theaccompanying drawings and it comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of thisinvention reference can behadto thefollowing detailed description, takentogether with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view ofa typical dwelling house which can beconstructed employing the panels of the present invention;

FIGURE'Z is a typical floor plan for the dwelling house construction asshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 to 7 illustrate five common cross sections of buildingconstructions that can be made employing the present invention, it beingunderstood that they are merely typical of cross sections that can bemade and that many other combinations can be employed;

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 illustrate typical foundations which can be employedin conjunction with the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a plan or elevation view of one side of a typical panelconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 12 is a plan or elevation view of the opposite side of the panelshown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 1313 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 14 is a plan or elevation view showing how five of the panelsillustrated in FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 can be assembled in aunitary'construction;

FIGURE 15 is a vertical sectional view, at an enlarged scale, takengenerally along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14 and showing one form of jointconstruction for fastening adjacent panels together, it being understoodthat the section is typical of any of the joints between adjacentpanels;

FIGURE 16 is a plan or elevation view of another form ofpanelconstruction;

FIGURE 17 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line17-17 of FIGURE 16 and illustrating how the adjacent panels aredetachably interconnected;

FIGURE 18 is a plan or elevation view, at an enlarged scale, of thatportion of the panels shown in FIGURE 16 adjacent the common meetingcorners of four panels;

FIGURE 18a is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken generallyalong the line 18a--18a of FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 19 is a sectional view at an enlarged scale, showing the meanswhereby the panels illustrated in FIG- URE 16 can be detachablyinterconnected and assembled;

FIGURE 20 isan end view of the link portion of the connecting meansshown in FIGURE 19;

FIGURE 21 is an end view of the lock forming a part of the connectingmeans shown in FIGURE 19;

FIGURE 22 is a sectional view showing how a partition can be joined tothe side wall of a building construction employing the panels of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 23 shows the panels can be joined so that they are acute.angularly related;

FIGURES 24 to 28 are sectional views illustrating how diiferentcoverings can be. applied to the panels of the present invention;

FIGURE 29 is a vertical elevational view showing one form ofpanelarrangement containing a fixed sub-panel of glass and a pair of movablesub-panels which provide vents;

FIGURE 30 is. a vertical sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken.generally along the line 30-30 of FIGURE 29 and showing certain detailsof construction;

FIGURE 31 is a view, similar'to FIGURE 29, showing a panel arrangementemploying a door and a fixed window;

FIGURE 32 is a view, similar to FIGURES: 29 and 31, and shows a panelarranged to receive three doors;

FIGURE 33 shows a floor plan of the typeillustrat'ed in FIGURE 2 withprovisionmade for one form of heat distribution;

FIGURE 34 is a top plan view illustrating how the 26, 27, 28 and 29, asshown.

heating ducts are located in a corner floor or roof panel;

FIGURE 35 is a view, similar to FIGURE 34, showing how the heating ductis located in an intermediate 1 floor or roof panel;

FIGURE 36 is a view showing overhung and wall panels together with roofand floor panels in which heating ducts are provided;

FIGURE 40 is a sectional view showing another panel locking arrangement;

FIGURE 41 is a vertical sectional view, taken generally along the line41-41 of FIGURE 42, showing details of construction of an interiorpartition; and

FIGURE 42 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line42-42 of FIGURE 41.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, it willbe observed that the reference character designates, generally, a onestory house which can be constructed in accordance with this invention.It i will be understood that the house as illustrated at 10 is merelytypical of a wide variety of constructions that can be made employingthis invention. The house 10 can be provided with a car port, showngenerally at 11, and it can be extended by a fence as indicated at 12 tocom- .plete the construction and provide a balanced arrangement. Alongthe front of the house 10 is an exterior terrace 13. Centrally locatedon the house 10 is a chimney 14.

As shown by the floor plan in FIGURE 2 the house 10 has a front wall 15and a rear wall 16 interconnected by side walls 17 and 18. A roof 19,FIGURE 1, overlies these Walls and the entire combination is positionedon a floor 20 which, except for a slab containing the utilities, can beof a construction similar to that employed for the walls and roof.

Included in the floor plan shown in FIGURE 2 are bedrooms 24 and 25which are formed by interior walls A combination kitchen and breakfastroom is indicated at while a family work room is indicated at 31, thetwo being joined in a generally L-shape. A utility entrance is providedat 32.

The layout and design of the house 10 are such that all of the utilitiesare located on a central slab which preferably is a concrete slab thatis cast about the various utili- -ty lines after they have beeninstalled. The utility center is indicated, generally, at and it will beunderstood that the Water, gas and sewer pipes are laid prior to thecasting of the concrete slab on which the utility center 35 1 ispositioned and that, if the electric circuit is run under- Included inthe utility center 35 is 4 wall 17 and extensions of the roof 19 andfloor 20 all of which are constructed of panels, as indicated at 43, andwhich will be described in detail hereinafter. By making variousarrangements of these panels 43 and applying various coverings toopposite sides, an infinite variety of arrangements can be provided.

When the side wall 17 is positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 2,additional living space is provided. For example there is a living room44 and a master bedroom 45. The extension also permits the provision ofa powder room 46 which is located adjacent the utility center 35 wherethe necessary plumbing connections can be made. If desired, a fire place47 can be constructed in the living room 44 and connected suitably tothe chimney 14. The

main entrance would then be provided as indicated at 48 and an exteriorstorage room 49 could be provided as illustrated. Overlooking theexterior terrace 13 are panrangements shown in FIGURES 3-7 of thedrawings.

is located. The utility center also includes a complete.

bathroom 37. Since the incoming electric circuit prefjerably is locatedin the utility center 35 a kitchen range 38 is located convenientlythereto are a refrigerator 39,

aiwasher 40 and a dryer 41. When it is desired .to construct only a twobedroom house with essential living quarters, the side wall 17 can belocated along the broken line.42. Such a construction would providemodest living quarters for a small family with the construction beingsuch that they could .be expanded, in accordancewith this invention,merely by adding additional panels for the extensions :of the'front andrear walls '15. and Y16, theconstructionlofa' new side In FIGURE 3 arectangular cross section is shown that has the roof, floor and sidewalls formed of the panels 43. The fioor formed by the panels 43 ispositioned on a gravel bed 52 which may be of concrete. The dimensionsof the panels 43 are such that the height between the floor and roof isspanned by a single panel, a number being used to provide the wall.

Another arrangement that can be employed is shown in FIGURE 4 where theroof, formed of the panels 43, invertedfrom the arrangement shown inFIGURE 3, is

' spaced by transparent or translucent glass panels 55 from overhangingpanels that are carried by the side walls.

A semi-circular cross section is shown in FIGURE 5. Here a concrete slab54 can be employed in lieu of floor panels.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show different arrangements of gabl roof construction.FIGURE 6 shows one with a slight pitch while FIGURE 7 shows a roofconstruction with a greater pitch.

All of the constructions shown in FIGURES 3-7 are formed principally bythe prefabricated panels 43 which can be constructed on a massproduction basis in a factory and then transported to the building sitewhere they can be assembled, as described hereinafter, by unskilledlabor to provide the particular configuration desired. Because of thesubstantially limitless combinations which can be made from the panels43, in a single building development, it is possible to have acorrespondingly large number of different appearing dwellings. It isthen possible to avoid conventional row house constructions with theresult the property values tend to either remain constant or improveover the years.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a few of the many different foundationarrangements that may be employed with the present invention. Because ofthe relatively light weight of the panels 43 and the resulting lightweight of the building construction, provision should be made forsecurely anchoring the final construction to the ground.

FIGURE 8 shows a portion of the floor and one side wall constructed ofidentical panels 43. a The completed building is located on a gravel bed56 and an earth anchor 57 is employed for holding the building in placeon the ground. It will be understood that a number of anchors 57 areemployed, the number of course depending upon the size of the building,the type of ground in which they are positioned, etc.

, FIGURE 9 shows the gravel bed overlaid with a layer of polystyreneinsulation 58. Then overlying the layer gal 1.5 58 is a concrete slab59. In this case the floor is formed by the concrete slab 9 and aclosure plate 60 is cast in the concrete slab 59 for receiving the panel43 providing the side of the house. Fingers 60 formed integrally withthe closure plate 60 and depending therefrom serve to further anchor theclosure plate 60in the concrete slab 59.

FIGURE illustrates how the building construction of the presentinvention can be located on a site which has sloping ground 61 withoutrequiring that it be excavated to provide a generally horizontalbuilding surface. As here shown a foundation button 62 is positionedjust below the ground level, the number depending upon the size andshape of the ultimate building. The foundation button 62, in each case,is secured in position by the anchors '57, previously described. Mountedon each foundation button 62 is a support strut 63 which is adjustable,as desired, for carrying the floor that is made up of panels 43. Asbefore, the side wall is made up also of panels 43. A closure plate 64extends over the joint between the panels 43 making up the wall andfloor to seal the same against the weather.

It will be apparent that the panels 43, and similar panels describedhereinafter, can be combined with conventional wall constructions ofwood and masonry where desired.

Referring now to FIGURES lll5 of the drawings, it will be observed thatone form o-f'construction of the panel is there illustrated togetherwith one arrangement for interconnecting adjacent panels. Each panel 43can be made up of four triangular panels shown generally at 65 inFIGURES l1 and 12. The face of the panel 65 as shown in FIGURE 11 isformed by three triangular skins 66, 67 and 68 which are sheets ofrelatively thin metallic material such as sheet aluminum. The skins 66,67 and 68 and like skins disclosed herein can be formed of thermoplasticsheet material and also of a glass product sold under the trade namePyroceram. They are arranged in concave configuration to take advantageof the stressed skin construction. The opposite face or side of thetriangular panel 65, shown in FIGURE 12 is merely a triangular skin '69which overlies the three triangular skins 66, 67 and 68 of the otherside. It will be observed that edge 70 of the skin 66 and edge 71 of theskin 69 are co planar. Similarly, edges 7Z73 and 74-75 are coplanar,thereby making it possible to receive a closure plate 76 of uniformwidth. The adjacent panel is provided with a corresponding closure plate77 and they have nesting intermediate portions 78 and 79.

The skins 66, 67 and 68 can be spaced fromthe skin 69 by struts 80 and81, as shown in FIGURE 13. Alternatively, or in addition, the spacebetween the skins on the opposite sides of the panel 65 can be filledwith a suitable insulation such as a rigid porous sponge likeinsulation. Also the space between the skins can be evacuated to provideinsulation therebetween. Such a construction is facilitated when theskins are formed of plastic material, such as thermoplastic sheetmaterial.

In order to join the triangular panels 65 together strips 82ers securedalong the juxtaposed edges and they are provided with shoulders 83 forslidably receiving thereon the link 84. A dovetail connection isprovided so that when the links 84 are slid over the juxtaposedshoulders 83 of'the strips 82, the adjacent panels 65 will be securedfirmly together and yet they can be disassembled merely by removing thelinks 84.

In FIGURE 14 it will be observed that four of the triangular panels 65are employed to make up a single rectangmlarpanel. It is this generaltype of construction that is illustrated in FIGURE 1 for the. buildingconstruction and it is. illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 37. Byplacing the concave portions of the panels 43 on one side or the other,different appearances can be provided as will be obvious.

Another panel construction is illustrated at 43 in FIG- URE 16v of thedrawings. Here the opposite sides of each panel 43' are formed by flatrectangular skins 87 and 88 and they are joined together by closureplates 89 along the four sides. It will be understood that the edges ofthe skins 87 and 88 are positioned in coplanar relation so that closureplates 89 of uniform width can be employed for interconnecting them andalso for joining them to adjacent similar panels. The space between theskins 87 and 88, as shown in FIGURE 17, can be filled with a rigidporous sponge like insulation 90* such as foamed phenolic or polystyreneplastic. Such a material, while light in weight, has excellentinsulating properties.

In FIGURE 19 is shown the manner in which the closure plates 89 aresecured to the respective skins 87 and 88. It will be observed that eachclosure plate 89 has a central portion 91 and that these portions arejuxtaposed when the panels are positioned in operative relation to forma roof, wall or floor. At each end of each flat central portion 91 is anoffset arcu-ate end portion 92 which is provided with a slot 93 forreceiving an inturned edge 94 of the adjacent skin 87 or 88 as the casemay be. Since it is desirable to electrically insulate the skins 87 and88 from each other, each slot 93 is provided with a layer 95 ofinsulation.

With a view to mechanically interconnecting the oifset arcuate endportions 92 of the closure plates 89 they are provided with lockingshoulders 96 and 97, the former projecting outwardly and the latterprojecting inwardly. These shoulders are provided with ridges 98 and 99for interfitting with grooves 100 in locking shoulders 101 which projectradially and laterally from a central tubular section 102 of a link thatis indicated, generally, at 103 in FIGURE 20- of the drawings.

It will be understood that the closure plates 89 and links 103 can beformed of metallic extrusions, such as extrusions formed of aluminum.The link 103 can be provided with radial openings 104 for receiving aremovable tool, shown by broken lines at 105, which facilitates therotating of the link 103 to position the ridges 98 and 99 in lockingengagement with the grooves 100. Also, the tool 105 can be inserted inone or the other of the radial openings 104 to remove the link 103 fromthe connecting position shown in FIGURE 19 to permit disassembly of theadjacent panels.

In order to lock the link 103 in the retaining position shown in FIGURE19 and to provide a weatherproof enclosure therefor a semi-circular lock106 can be employed. Preferably it is formed of a metallic extrusion,such as aluminum, and it has shouldered ends 107 which inteifit, asshown in FIGURE 19, with the inturned edges 94 of the skins 87 and arethereby held in position. Projecting radially inwardly from the lock 106is a detent 108 that is arranged to interfit behind one of the lockingshoulders 101, as shown. It is desirable to insulate the lock 106 fromthe link 103 andfor this purpose a layer 109 of insulation can be usedby providing the same in overlying relation along the detent 108. Sincethe shouldered ends 107 of the lock 106 are in mechanical and electricalengagement with the adjacent portions of the metallic skins 87, eachlock 106 constitutes an electrical connection between the adjacent skinand thus continuity for one side of an electric circuit is provided.Since the skins 87 and 88 are electrically insulated from each other,they can be employed as conductors and can be energized for the purposeof distributing electricity throughout the building construction.

When four of the panels 43' are arranged as illustrated in FIGURE 16,the meeting portions of the semi-circular locks 106 can be provided withangular end portions 110. The edges of these end portions 110 are spacedslightly from each other and a gasket 111 having an H- shaped crosssection, shown in FIGURE 18a can be employed to provide a weatherproofconstruction.

FIGURE 22 shows how a partition or roof and overhang panels can bejoined to the panels making up an exterior Wall. Here panels 43' arepositioned in alignment and in spaced relation for receiving the panel43 at right angles thereto. At the inner juxtaposed edges the panels arejoined in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 19, except that the adjacentSkins are located at 90 to each other. This is permitted by theappropriate positioning of the locking shoulders 101 on the links 103.Then the space opposite the panel 43 which extends at right angles tothe other two panels can be closed 011 by a closure plate 89 which isunattached to any panel or skin.

FIGURE 23 shows the panels 43 in obtuse angular relationship. Here aclosure plate 112 is employed and it is provided with arcuate endportions 113 which carry locking shoulders 114 and 115 to interfit withthe respective links 103 therealong. Where an arch or dome constructionis desired and a lesser degree of angular change between panels isrequired than that shown in FIGURE 23, a link 103 can be used at theouter side having a slightly larger diameter than that used at the innerside. This creates a slight calculated angle between the adjacentclosure plates 89.

FIGURES 24-28 illustrate a few of the many possibilities for applyingvarious surface coatings to the panels 43. Here only one of the skins 87and a portion of the insulation 90 of each of the panels 43' isillustrated. The combination link-lock is illustrated diagrammaticallyat 116, it being understood that in detail it is as shown in FIGURE 19.

In FIGURE 24 it will be seen that a plastic laminate or Wall paper 117can be applied to the surface of the skin 87. When such an arrangementis used for a wall or ceiling, the plastic laminate or wall paperprovides an appropriate decoration.

FIGURE 25 shows how the panels can be employed for a floor constructionwith a layer 118 of padding over the skins 8'7 and underlying carpetsquare 119. The padding 118 and carpet square 119 can be applied in thefactory so that, when the panels are assembled on the site the carpetedfloor is provided immediately upon assembly. It will be noted here thata small portion of the link-lock 116 is exposed for ornamental purposes.

FIGURE 26 shows a filler 12 of foamed plastic with the carpet 119overlying the same when continuous carpeting is used.

In FIGURE 27 a layer 1'21 of foamed plastic is employed and over it is alayer of wood 122 or artificial board all of which can be preassembledin the factory.

If desired, as shown in FIGURE 28, a layer 123 of concrete or terrazocan be poured on the skin 87 with a screed 124 being carried by thelink-lock 116.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 29 of the drawings, it will beobserved that the reference character 125 designates a panel which canbe employed in a building construction made up of panels 43 or 43' andcan be interchangeably used therewith where it is desired to providewindows, doors, ventilators, etc. The panel 125 includes a sub-panel 126of glass which may be fixed in position and two sub-panels 127 of glasswhich may be movably mounted to provide vents. The sub-panels 126 and127 are separated by a transverse member or transom 128 while thesub-panels 127 are separated vertically by a mullion 129. The panel 125includes a four-sided frame, indicated generally at 130, the details ofconstruction of which are shown more clearly in FIGURE 30.

As there shown the frame 130 comprises four closure members, indicatedgenerally at 131, and formed preferably of extruded aluminum. Along theopposite edges of the closure members 131 offset arcuate end portions133 and 134 are formed which are provided, respectively, with aninwardly projecting locking shoulder 135 and an outwardly projectinglocking shoulder 136. These locking shoulders on the arcuate endportions 133 and 134 are arranged, as illustrated at the lower portionof FIGURE 30, to cooperate with locking shoulders 137 on links 138. Itwill be observed that the locking shoulders 137 on the links 138 arearranged to cooperate with shoulders 139 and 141) on a closure member orplate, that is indicated, generally, at 141 and corresponds to theclosure plate 60, previously described, which, as shown in FIGURE 9, canbe cast in a concrete slab, if desired. Semi-circular locks 142 similarto the lock 106 are employed in overlying relation to the link 133. Eachlock 142 carries an inwardly extending detent 143 which fits behind oneof the locking shoulders 137 and prevents rotation of the respectivelink 138 in the unlocking direction.

The inner faces of the closure members 131 along their edges areprovided with spaced recesses 146 into which the ends of the transversemember or transom 128 can be snapped. It will be understood that asimilar arrangement is provided for receiving the mullion 129.

It will be understood that the glass sub-panel 126 can be provided by asingle fixed pane or by double panes as may be desired for heatinsulation purposes.

Suitable provision is made for movably mounting the sub-panels 127 ofglass which serve as vents. A conventional operating mechanism,indicated generally at 147, can be employed for opening and closing thesub-panels 127. In FIGURE 31 another panel arrangement is illustrated at14 8. The frame details of construction are similar to those illustratedin FIGURE 30 in conjunction with FIGURE 29. However, in FIGURE 31 a door149 is suitably swingably mounted while a Window 150 is fixedly mounted.They are separated by a vertically extending mullion 151.

FIGURE 32 shows another of the many combinations of panel constructionthat can be employed using the present invention. Here three doors 153are mounted within a panel 152 and they are separated by mullions 154.

It will be understood that the closure members 131 can be assembled intothe frame 130 either in a factory or on the site as may be desired.Standard lengths of transoms and mullions can be provided to form anydesired subpanel arrangement.

One manner in which the heating or cooling of the building constructionembodying this invention can be accomplished is illustrated in FIGURES33-36. Referring particularly to FIGURE 36, it will be observed that aportion of a building construction is illustrated, generally, at 156. Itis made up of an end wall panel 157, a side wall panel 158, a floorpanel 159 and a roof panel 160. It will be understood that these panelsare constructed as described hereinbefore and illustrated at 43 or 43.In the space between the opposite skins of the floor panel 159 a duct161 is positioned while another duct 162 is positioned between the skinsof the roof panel 160. If air is employed for heating or cooling, itflows from the duct 161 through a vent 163 in the inner skin of thefloor panel 159 to the room space. A similar vent 164 is provided forexhausting the air from the room space into the duct 162. The flow ofair for heating purposes is indicated by the arrows 165 and 166. Anysuitable arrangement can be provided for eifecting the circulation ofair through the ducts 161 and 162. Where cooling air is circulatedthrough the ducts 161 and 162 it may be desirable to provide for it toflow from each duct into the room space or for the cooling air to flowonly through one or the other of the ducts 161 or 162.

FIGURE 33 shows a typical arrangement for the ducts in the floor or roofconstruction that is indicated, generally, at 167. The heating equipmentis located centrally as indicated at 168 and may be of any suitable typeas will be understood. Assuming that a hot air heating system isemployed, then a transverse return duct 169 can be provided forinterconnecting side ducts 171 andv 172. They are interconnected by endducts 173 and 174 that, in turn, are connected intermediate their endsby a longitudinal conduit 175 to the heating plant.

A typical corner floor or roof panel is indicated at 176 in FIGURE 34.Here a portion of a side duct 171 and a portion of an end duct 172 areshown. 1

In FIGURE 35 are intermediate floor or roof panel 177 is illustratedalong one side of which there is a portion of the side duct 171.

FIGURE 37 shows one manner in which electrical connections can be madeto the skins 87 and 88 of the panel 43. It will be recalled thatprovision is made for energizing the skins 87 and 88 and for insulatingthem from each other so that electrical energy can be distributedthroughout the building construction. Because of the relatively largecross section of conductors thus provided and because it is desirabletouse a low voltage for safety reasons, provision is made for energizingthe skins 87 and 88 at a relatively low voltage. For example, a voltageof the order of from six to twenty volts alternating or direct currentis preferred. Any su-tiable means such as a step down transformerenergized from a C0111 ventional power distribution source can beemployed for energizing the skins 87 and 88 in the manner described. Ifthe direct current is used and it is desired to provide alternatingcurrent for operating certain devices, as described hereinafter, asuitable converter can be used, such as a vibrating type converter. Itcan be combined with the transformer assembly referred to hereinafter toenergize the same.

In considering the illustration shown in FIGURE 37 it will be assumedthat the skins 87 and 88 are energized at a difference of potential ofthe order from six to twenty volts alternating current. In order to makeconnection to the skins 87 and 88 an electrical conductor assembly,indicated generally at 180, can be employed. It includes an insulatingtube 181 which can be inserted through a suitable opening 182 in theinner skin 88. At the adjacent end of the insulating tube 181 a fitting183 is provided having bendable connecting flanges 184. Preferably thefitting 183 is threaded, as indicated at 185, into the tube 181 so thatafter the tube 181 is inserted through the opening 182, the fitting 183can be unscrewed from the tube .181 to cause the connecting flanges 184to engage and make good contact with the inner surface of the inner skin'88. Extending through and insulated from the fitting 183' is aconnector pin 186. At the remote end a contact brush 187 is providedwhich has contact engagement with the inner surface of the outer skin87. When the fitting 183 is unscrewed from the insulating tube 181, thecontact brush 187 is urged in good contact engagement with the innersurface of the outer skin 87. Just outside the opening 182 is aconnector block 188 which forms a part of the fitting 183 and to which aterminal 189 can be connected that, in turn, can be connected to aconductor 190. Likewise a terminal 191 is connected to the inner end ofthe connector pin 186 for connection to a conductor 192. It will beunderstood that the conductors 190 and 192 can be connected to anysuitable load device that may be desired.

A typical application of the connector assembly 180 for use inconjunction with a load device is illustrated at the left hand end ofFIGURE 37. Here it will be observed that an outlet box 195 is employedand is arranged to be secured suitably to the inner surface of the innerskin 88 centrally of the connector assembly 180. Also a lamp controlassembly is shown, generally, at 196. It includes a suitable socket 197for receiving a low voltage bulb 198. Energization of the bulb 198 iseffected through a relay 199 which is controlled by a radio receiver200. When the radio receiver 200 receives the proper signal, the relay199 is energized, it contacts are closed and a circuit is completed forenergizing the low voltage bulb 198.

The control of the radio receiver 200 can be effected from a push buttoncontrol station that is indicated, generally, at 201 in FIGURES 38 and39 of the drawings. The push button station 201 can be located at anyconvenient position in the house or it can be carried from room to roomas desired. It is provided with a number of push buttons, for examplefour as indicated at 202, 203, 204 and 205, each of which is arranged toselectively control an oscillator 206 which may be poweredby a battery207. Each of the push buttons 202-205. is arranged to cause theoscillator 206 to transmit at a different frequency. Thus one or more-ofthe radio receivers 200 can be arranged to receive and be operated bycertain he quencies so that when the push button 202, for example, isdepressed, the oscillator 206 operates to effect the transmission of thecorresponding signal to operate the relay 199. Assuming that a number oflamp control assemblies 196 are tuned to operatev on the same frequency,it will then be understood. that all of such assemblies will be operatedunder the control of the push button 202. Other load devices can becontrolled by means of the push button control station 201 orcombinations thereof as may be desired.

It is often the case that the load devices are available only foroperation on a relatively high voltage such as volts. For suchapplication the arrangement shown at the right hand end of FIGURE 37 canbe employed. An electrical connector assembly is applied and, assembledin operative relation thereto, is a transformer assembly indicated,generally, at 210. It includes a transformer 211 the low voltage primarywinding of which is arranged to be connected for energization by theconnector assembly 180 across the energized skins 87 and 88. The highvoltage winding of the transformer 211 is connected to energize anoutlet socket 212 that is arranged to receive a plug 213 which may beconnected on one end of a two conductor cord 214 which, in turn, isconnected to the device to be operated at the conventional voltage.

FIGURE 40 shows another arrangement for interconnecting juxtaposedpanels which may be employed where unusually great stresses areinvolved. It will be observed that the skins 87 and 88 extend fromarcuate fittings 215 and 216 that many be formed of extruded aluminum.Slots 217 and 218 are provided in the fittings 215 and 216 for receivingthe inturned ends of the skins 87 and 88 as shown. Locking shoulders 219and 220 are formed integrally with the fittings 215 and 216 forreceiving shoulders 221 and 222 of a link 223 only one of which is shownat the bottom of this figure. Each link 223 is held in place by a lock224 the ends of which are snapped into notches 224 in the fittings 215and 216. An inclined shoulder 244", formed integrally with the innersurface of the lock 224, bears against the link 223 to hold it securelyin position.

Instead of providing an integral plate connection between the arcuatefittings 215 and 216, other means are provided for interconnecting themwhich reduces the expense of manufacture and provides insulationtherebetween. It will be noted that slots 225 and 226 are provided inthe fittings 215 and 216 respectively. Secured by cement or otherwise inthese slots 225 and 226 are hardboard connectors 227.

The details of interior partitions that may be used in practicing thisinvention are illustrated in FIGURES 41 and 42 of the drawings. InFIGURE 41 the ceiling line is indicated at 228 and the floor line isindicated at 229. Between them a partition, shown generally at 230, isadjustably positioned. The partition 230 may comprise wood veneer skins231 which are cemented in a suitable manner to a foamed plastic core232. The assembly is adjustable between the ceiling and floor lines 228and 229 through the agency of a base extrusion 233 which rests on a softrubber gasket 234 that is adhesive coated and lies on the floor. Thebase extrusion 233, which is for-med preferably of aluminum, is providedwith upstanding flanges 235 having a slot 236 therebetween for receiving21 depending tongue 237 of a bottom member 238 which underlies the woodveneer skins 231. A sinuous spring member is provided in the slot 236for adjustably positioning the tongue 237 with respect to the baseextrusion 233.

Along the upper edges of the wood veneer skins 231 is an extruded cap240 which is overlaid by a soft rubber 1 l gasket 241 that is adhesivecoated to secure it to the ceiling and to the upper surface of the cap240.

As shown in FIGURE 42 the sides of the wood veneer skins 231 canterminate a door jam 242 that may be formed of extruded aluminum. Inorder to secure adjacent sections of the partition 230 togetheralignment splines 243 can be used. One of these is shown in FIG- URE 42.The splines 243 can be formed either of metal, wood or hardboard as maybe desired.

While various details of construction have been described withconsiderable particularity herein, it will be understood that a widevariety of combinations can be made employing the principles of thisinvention. Accordingly, since many combinations and modifications of theinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, it is intended that all matters shown in the accompanyingdrawings and described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense. i

What is claimed as new is:

1. A building panel comprising, in combination, a pair of spacedrelatively thin metallic skins having matching coplanar edges, and aclosure plate of uniform width along each pair of skin edges havingoffset longitudinal concave edge portions secured to the respective skinedges and a locking shoulder projecting from each edge portion andjuxtaposed to the respective skin edge, the locking shoulder along oneedge of said closure plate projecting outwardly and the locking shoulderalong the other edge of said closure plate projecting inwardly.

2. A building Wall comprising, in combination; a plurality of juxtaposedpanels each including a pair of spaced relatively thin metallic skinshaving matching coplanar edges, and a closure plate of uniform widthalong each pair of skin edges having offset longitudinal concave edgeportions secured to the respective skin edges and a locking shoulderprojecting from each edge portion adjacent the respective skin edge, onelocking shoulder projecting outwardly and the other projecting inwardly;and links extending along the juxtaposed edges of said panels havingshoulders interfitting with adjacent pairs of locking shoulderstherealong for holding said panels in a unitary assembly.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein looking means interfitwith each link to hold the same in locked position.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the skin edges areinsulated from the respective closure plates, and each locking means isa conductor and electrically interconnects the adjacent skins on thesame side of the Wall.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein each link has a centraltubular portion with the shoulders thereon projecting radiallytherefrom.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the central tubularportion is arranged to receive a removable tool for assembling ordisassembling the link in the wall.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the central tubularportion has a radially outwardly extending locking shoulder between theother shoulders; and the locking means is semi-circular, has a radiallyinwardly projecting detent engaging said locking shoulder, and thelongitudinal edges are detachably secured to the juxtaposed edges of theassembled panels.

8. A building and wall comprising, in combination, a plurality ofjuxtaposed panels each including a pair of spaced relatively thinmetallic skins having matching coplanar edges, a metallic closure memberof uniform Width along each pair of edges interconnecting the same,insulating means between each closure means and said skins whereby theskins are insulated from each other, means interconnecting the adjacentclosure members to hold the panels in position in the wall, meansinterconnecting the skins on opposite sides of the Wall whereby they canbe electrically energized, and connecting means extending through oneskin for connection thereto and to the opposite skin to energize a loaddevice connected thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,421,124 Brandt June 27, 1922 1,478,979 Stoehrer Dec. 25, 19231,895,667 Junkers Jan. 31, 1933 2,103,407 Dean Dec. 28, 1937 2,193,550Coe Mar. 12, 1940 2,268,636 Becker Jan. 6, 1942 2,349,358 McLaughlin May23, 1944 2,394,443 Guignon Feb. 5, 1946 2,628,078 Krauss Feb. 10, 19532,808,624 Sullivan Oct. 8, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 796,356 France Jan. 22,1936

